This is a blog dedicated to highlight the issue of Christian Persecution in India. The posts here in contain information about Christian Persecution in India from various sources with links and some exclusive to us. No Copyright infringement is intended. This is only for the purpose of spreading awareness about the ongoing Christian persecution in India. We have no political affiliations. We hope for a nation where all could live in peace with each other.

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

On 25th February, 2007 a mob of 70-80 Hindu extremists belonging to Bajrang Dal surrounded the house of Pastor T.N. Jose at around 7 p.m. in Surgi village of Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. The pastor was manhandled and threatened for life by this mob. The incident took place just as the pastor had sat down for his daily evening prayer.

It is said that the pastor had been given an ultimatum to leave the village accusing him of forcefully converting villagers.

The mob made him put his signature on a plain paper stating that the pastor had come to the village to convert and that he would go from the village of his own free will. The paper also stated that the pastor was not being forced by anyone to leave the village.

Pastor T.N. Jose who is fearing for his life has taken shelter in his brother Pastor T. M. Babu’s house close to the village in Rajnandgaon. Pastor Babu also runs a Bible School under the banner of Indian Christian Mission which is a registered trust.

It must be noted here that the pastor’s sister, a doctor by profession who runs a clinic in Surgi village was also threatened and locked up by the extremists for one whole day. However, she was released in the evening after which she ran through the jungle at night despite the dangers, to reach an area housing a factory which served as a landmark for her brother to pick her up and take her to safety in their brother’s house.

Friday, February 23, 2007

GFA founder concerned about "increased beatings" against Christians in India.

NEW DELHI, INDIA — Five young men studying at a Bible college run by mission group Gospel for Asia (GFA) in the Indian state of Maharashtra were reportedly recovering from "severe injuries" Tuesday, February 20, after they were beaten by an angry anti-Christian crowd.

The beatings happened late Sunday, February 18, while they evangelized on the streets of a local village, GFA said in a statement. Two of the students were listed in "critical condition."

The incident allegedly happened after the men, who were not identified apparently for security reasons, departed from their Bible college campus late Sunday for what GFA described as "their usual evening outreach." They "walked about three miles (4.8 kilometers) to a nearby village to give out Gospel tracts entitled ’How to Know God’ and witness to the people," GFA said.

Suddenly, the young men reportedly saw five "angry militants" running towards them. "We’re going to kill you!" the militants were quoted as shouting at the students. "As the extremists began beating the Christians, others joined until 40 anti-Christians were participating in the attack. The beatings continued until all five students were severely injured," GFA claimed.

STUDENTS HOSPITALIZED

The students were rushed to the hospital, but doctors initially refused to treat them saying police should first write a report about the attack, GFA reported. "Finally, after the report was written, the hospital admitted all five of the young men. Two of the men are in critical condition with serious head injuries and bleeding," GFA said.

GFA President K.P. Yohannan said the latest attack was part of a wider crackdown on devoted Christians in India. "Unfortunately, attacks like these are becoming an almost daily occurrence." He said his group had urged supporters to "pray that these young Bible college students will heal quickly and will be encouraged," to continue their activities. He also said GFA still hopes that those who beat the students will become Christians.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Rahbindra Narzaree, a resident of Bashbari village,Kokrajhar district Assam, was attacked by his Hindu villagers for refusing to reconvert to Hinduism.

Narzaree had converted to Christianity from Hinduism after getting married to a Christian Bodo lady two years ago.

Villagers subsequently pressured him to return to Hinduism, which he did but he reconverted to Christianity again.

On Feb 6, at a village council meeting, he was again pressured to return to Hinduism.

On his refusal, beaten by a angry mob of Hindus who attacked him with sticks.

Tension prevails around the forest area of Bashbari village under Beshmuri outpost of due to a mob attack on a Christian family on 6 Feb. The family has been facing social boycott for converting to Christianity.

The family took refuge at the Bishmuri outpost under Kokrajhar Police Station.

The police have posted a team of police officials outside the Narzaree's brother's home where the family is taking refuge.

UJJAIN (MP): Nine persons were arrested on Friday for allegedly ransacking a missionary school following the death of two children in a road accident at Barnagar near here, police said.

On the complaint by the school's principal, they were arrested for damaging furniture and breaking windowpanes at St Thomas H S School on Thursday, Superintendent of Police Jaideep Prasad said.

Some Hindu activists attacked the school and accused it of creating a traffic hazard for children by keeping one of its gates closed. They brought down a portion of its wall, damaging some statues after Nikita (four) and Krishnpal (six), were hit by a truck and killed when they were on way to the school, police said.

Mild force was used to disperse the crowd on Thursday, they said.

TOI

Nine arrested for ransacking Ujjain school

Rubina Khan Shapoo

Friday, February 9, 2007 (Ujjain):

Nine people have been arrested in Ujjain after a mob of 150 people ransacked the St Thomas Higher Secondary School on Thursday. The police had to use force to control the crowd.

The mob beat up the father of the school, tore down a wall, broke furniture and window panes after two school children were run over by a truck near the school.

They claimed the accident happened because the school kept one of its gates closed.

The nine arrested include the local Shiv Sena president, a Bajrang Dal leader and a BJP leader. They have been booked for rioting.